THOMAS, Vivian Martha (nee McGuire, Daly)
THOMAS, Vivian Martha (nee McGuire, Daly)
Born October 23, 1931 – Died October 10, 2016
Vivian Thomas passed away on Monday, October 10, 2016 at Michael Garron Hospital, from the effects of a debilitating stroke. She was 84.
Vivian McGuire was the fifth child in a family of ten children (William, Helen, Doris, Hazel, Vivian, George, Donald, Bruce, Larry and Elaine). Her parents were George and Barbara (Zavitz) McGuire. She grew up on a farm in the Dawn Township, near Oil Springs and Chatham.
Vivian, an exceptional student, graduated Petrolia District High School at age 16. After short stints as a teacher and receptionist, she found out the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was recruiting women and joined seeking adventure. She became a radar officer and earned a private pilot’s license. For two years in a row, she had the highest aptitude test scores in the RCAF. She hitchhiked across Canada with her girlfriends. When her radar group was transferred to Foymount near Eganville, she became the crew chief.
She met Keevil Daly, a world-class weightlifting athlete in the RCAF. She was white and he was black. Despite the racism of the times, they married at the Downsview RCAF on July 23, 1955. Keevil was posted to West Germany near a NATO base near Baden-Baden September 1955. They travelled throughout Europe and had their first child, Janis, in 1957.
They left Germany and returned to Canada. Their second child, Dawn, was born in Shelburne in 1959 and they moved to Ottawa. Eventually in 1961 they moved to the U.S. to Brooklyn, New York. The sixties in Brooklyn was an exciting time in the civil rights movement. Vivian heard Martin Luther King Jr. speak at a church and joined the Unitarian faith.
In 1969, Vivian returned to Mississauga, Ontario, Canada with her two daughters, selling Yellow Pages and later as a secretary and driving instructor. She went to Ryerson Polytechnical and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism in 1977. Though she divorced Keevil Daly in 1976, fifteen years later they renewed a close friendship until his death in 2011.
In 1976, Vivian met Charles ‘Tom’ Thomas. They married on July 26, 1980 and moved to the San Diego, California. Vivian worked in Admissions in San Diego State University and later, Grossmont College. In June 1986, Tom was killed in an car accident. Now widowed, in 1987 Vivian moved back to Chatham, Ontario, Canada to be closer to her parents. When her mother passed away in 1990, Vivian moved to Toronto to be closer to her two daughters, Janis and Dawn. Her granddaughter Sheerah, was born in 1994 to Dawn. Vivian and her ‘girls’ remained very close.
Vivian found out in 2009 that she had Alzheimer’s. She lived independently until 2012 and then lived with her daughters until 2014. She moved to a nursing home as her condition worsened. She was an avid reader, enjoyed doing puzzles and never turned down a piece of pie. She was always with a smile and a positive, gentle demeanor.
Vivian is survived by daughters Janis and Dawn, granddaughter Sheerah; siblings Elaine, Larry, Bruce, Donald, George, Hazel and Doris; her many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held November 6, 2016 at 2 p.m. for Vivian Thomas at:
Don Heights Unitarian Congregation, 18 Wynford Drive, Units 102-103
Toronto, Ontario M3C 3S2 (one block north of Eglinton; one block east of Don Mills Road)
See www.donheights.ca for directions.
Donations in Vivian Thomas’s name can be sent to USC Canada and Heart & Stroke Foundation (http://usc-canada.org/ or http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3483933/ for more information).
Thank you to Harmony Hills, Vivian’s final home for the last three years and the Micheal Garron Hospital for their humane palliative care of Vivian.
We miss you so much that words cannot convey the depth of it. We love you now and forever.
Offer Condolence for the family of THOMAS, Vivian Martha (nee McGuire, Daly)
Julia
Janis my deepest condolences to you and your family.
Your mother sounded like a very adventurous and wonderful woman.
May your mom be in your heart and with you until you`s meet,again.
Julia
Janis Daly
Thanks Julia, She was an adventurous. Wore her heart on her sleeve. That’s what I loved about her!
Melinda Astridge
Dear Janis,
No words can express the sadness we feel for you on the loss of your dear Mom, Vivian. Prayers and condolences go out to you and your family. Your Mom was a strong, adventurous woman and her impact on your life has had a wonderful ripple effect that has touched us too in so many ways, and will continue to be felt always. Your loving memories will help keep her close to you at this difficult time.
Sincerely, Melinda, Laurel, Kevin and Aidan Astridge
Janis Daly
Thank you Melinda & family. I love the idea of a ripple effect and isn’t that what being alive is all about – leaving a mark?
JoAnne Trotter
Dear Janis, my deepest condolences go out to you, Dawn and Sheerah on the loss of your mom. Sending prayers and hugs for you and your family at this sad time. All the best, JoAnne
Janis Daly
Thank you JoAnne. While we struggle to deal with this major loss your friendship is helping us.
Carri G.
Janis, Dawn, and Sheerah,
The news about Vivian has saddened me. It was also heartening to read of her accomplishments and to know hers was a life well lived. May she continue to inspire us as a model for how to conduct our own lives. I am thankful to have known her. May her memory be a blessing.
Love, Carri, Lee, Hannah, and Marissa Golden
Janis Daly
Dear Carri and family, We are blessed for having had Vivian as our mother. Thank you.
BRIDGET Ulumma UBOCHI
Dear Janis, Dawn and Sheerah,
As you know, Soul never dies but it sheds the physical flesh when it no longer find it useful for its new home and realm of operation.
As Vivian returns home, she simply translated into a more suitable suit for her current abode and responsibilities as per Divine will.
It is clear that you had a lot of fun time while she was here; relish those times – grieve as it is normal but send her off with a heart full of love.
I will see you all on the 6th, God willing, meanwhile, please accept my condolences.
Love Always, Bridget.
Janis Daly
Dear Bridget, Yes what you are saying is so true. Thank you.
Ella vG
Deep and heartfelt condolences to you Janis, Dawn, and Sheerah.
May the love and memories you shared together, sustain you.
May you feel the love of family, friends, and others supporting
you through this time. My heart and thoughts go with you as I
send a warm embrace to all three of you.
Hopelyn D
Dear Janis, Dawn and Sheerah,
There are times when words are never enough; however, as travelers on this one-way road of life, we travel along and although most of us is not aware when our “exit” will be next, I am sure your mom shared precious times; she touched your lives; built bonds; offered support; shared laughter and tears; uplifted and even aggravated at times; but that which binds you all together was the love you shared. this love is one time will never erase and even though she may have taken her final exit, I am sure the memories she left behind will never be forgotten. So at this time, please accept my sincerest condolence and know – you are never alone.
Janis Daly
Thank you I am grateful for messages received here, via email, FB and phone. We have great memories.
Lin Cheong
Dear Janis,
Our words seem so paltry and clumsy at such times of loss. Vivian truly knew what Life was and lived it so fully with love and gusto, leaving her precious imprint on you, Dawn, Sheerah and just about everyone she met! What indelible and joyful memories this incredible woman must arouse
in each of you. A bright light not extinguished; momentarily dimmed by grief but always present in your heart and mind.
Janis Daly
Thank you. Our ‘bright light’ is still shining.
WSIB Alumni Association
Dear Janis,
Please accept our condolences on the sad loss of your mother. You are in our thoughts at this time and we hope that your fond memories of her will comfort you and your family.
Janis Daly
Thank you – going through all our old photos brought back many fun memories of growing up with our mom including her pushing a bike around teaching the neighbourhood kids how to ride!
Sheila Little
Janis , my sincere condolences on the loss of your mother. Her life history was one of adventure led by a woman of intelligence, love and high spirit .
May God bless her and you .
Sheila Little
Don Leacock
My sympathies to you and your family, Janice.
Lise Beaupré
I am so sorry for your loss Janis. Please accept my condolences to you, your sister and your family.
Lise Beaupré
Cecily Corbin-Gittens
Dear Janis,
Words cannot express the feeling for your loss, but they will convey the love and sympathy we mean to convey. May your heart be comforted, and the arms of God surround you and your family at this time. Blessings always,
Cecily Corbin-Gittens
Simcoe Speakers
Fran Robertson
My sincere condolences to you and your family. Your Mother sounded like a wonderful woman. Thanks for sharing her story with us.
Donna
What an amazing and inspiring voyage! My heart is with the family during this time. Cherish the memories.
Donna C.
Linas Stasiulis
Hi Janis!
Sorry for your loss. Remember the good times and fond memories of your Mom!
Miss you at work.
Linas.
Leif, Edith, Tristan, Malaya and Maryloo Billington
Dear Janis, On behalf of the Billington family I would like to say we are sad to hear of the passing of your mother Vivian. I wish my mother Maryloo could be writing these words to you but due to dementia I will do my best. Your mom was a brave, strong, loving independent woman and she has left this legacy to the woman in her family. We hope your family grieves, and is enriched by the memories shared. May you all gain strength to go forward I am sure Vivian will be watching.